Self-adjusting lens mount for automated assembly of vehicle sensors

ABSTRACT

A two piece lens mount system for mounting a lens in correct focus and alignment relative to a CMOS imaging device such that the optical axis of the lens is coincident with and perpendicular to the center of the active area of the imager array. The lens is secured by the axial pressure of flexible ribs that are symmetrically spaced around the internal bore of a lens holder and act on a smooth surface on the outside of the lens. This arrangement eliminates translation of the lens across the imager array. Another portion of the body of the lens is threaded such that the lens, when rotated about its optical axis may be focused or axially aligned. When a focus or axial alignment point is reached, a staking fluid may be added to the lens thread, through a hole in the lens holder to prevent de-focusing. The second component of the lens mount system, the lens mount base, is fixedly secured to an imager board on which is mounted a CMOS imager. The upper wall of the lens mount base is in close, parallel proximity to the optical flat of the imager and has a rectangular opening which restricts light from the lens to the active area of the imager, and more specifically prevents light from falling on the column amplifiers of the imaging device. The design of both components is such that they may be moved relative to each other with external fixturing, in front of a known target, until it is decided that the lens is directly over the center of the imager array. The lens holder and the lens mount base are then fixed together permanently using a laser weld process or any other plastic bonding technique.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/609,977 filed on Sep. 15, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vehicle mounted imaging systems for vehicle positioning and safety applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to imaging systems for vehicle mounted lane tracking systems.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Image processing technologies are being designed and implemented for intelligent vehicles that are directed to improving vehicle safety. One significant example of such an image processing based safety system is a lane departure warning system. A typical lane departure warning (LDW) system includes a camera mounted in a vehicle, e.g. in the vehicle's rear-view mirror stalk at the center of the windshield, along with an imager board that includes an imager or camera and image-processing circuitry. The LDW system works by finding the lane markings on the road and then monitoring vehicle position relative to the lane markings. If the system detects a lane change without a turn signal, it sends a feedback signal to the driver to alert drivers who would otherwise unknowingly cross lane markers, for example, an audible ding, buzz or vibration.

Lane departure warning systems use determinations as to the spatial position of the device, and thus the vehicle, based on geometrical features in a stream of video data. The position and orientation of road markings in the image are used to continually calculate the lateral position of the vehicle in the lane in which it is traveling. It is desirable to minimize any misalignment of the image which could lead to video data that yields incorrect determinations of lane position. In particular, a misalignment of the lens relative to the imager could cause the road scene to be translated across the image which could affect the system's estimation of vehicle position.

The ideal position for a lens in an image processing application such as an LDW application is such that the following conditions are met. The lens should be at the correct focus height above the imager, the optical axis of the lens should be perpendicular to the imager array and the optical axis of the lens should be coincident with the center of the image array. Any deviation of these relationships will cause there to be less than ideal conditions for detecting the relevant features in the video image.

When focusing or axially aligning the lens of an optical system to be used in an LDW application, the lens must be accurately constrained relative to the imager such that it's optical axis is perpendicular to the imager plane at all times during and after focusing. However, a common issue for on-board sensors is calibration and alignment of the optical assembly, including the lens and sensor. Traditionally, standard miniature lenses are mounted in one piece lens mounts such that when the lens is rotated in the lens mount, it moves axially to the desired focus point. The inherent looseness of a thread allows for some “pitching” movement of the lens during such focusing. This movement causes the optical axis of the lens to lose its perpendicular alignment to the imager array, which causes the scene to be translated and appear out of focus on one side.

Another source of misalignment that is problematic in conventional approaches to aligning lens assemblies in image processing applications is a translational misalignment of the lens optical axis across the imager array. This type of misalignment is termed an X-Y offset because the optical axis will be offset from the center of the imager pixel array by a number rows (Y offset) and columns (X offset). In a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) system, the following elements contribute to this offset: the location of the imager package on the imager board to which it is soldered, the location of the imager wafer within the imager package, the position tolerance of the holes on the imager board that locate the lens mount, the lens mount part tolerances, and the internal lens tolerances or eccentricity between mechanical and optical axes.

Accordingly, a need presently exists for an improved system and method for mounting a lens and imager assembly in a system adapted for vehicle safety applications. More particularly, a need exists for an improved lens mounting system which may be advantageously employed in a system for detecting lane markers in a roadway which can provide accurate lane marker detection and eliminate the X-Y offset while maintaining the perpendicularity of the optical axis to the imager array.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides a lens mount system, comprising a lens mount base and a lens holder. The lens mount base has a back side and a front side and the lens holder has a first end adapted to couple to the front side of the lens mount base and a second end with an opening for receiving a lens. The lens holder has an inner bore with a central axis extending from the opening, the inner bore having a first threaded portion. The lens holder inner bore further has a second unthreaded portion, and axial alignment means configured in the second portion of the inner bore for maintaining the lens aligned with the central axis during focusing adjustment along the axial direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the lens mount system the axial alignment means comprises a plurality of flexible ribs configured in the second portion of the inner bore. The flexible ribs are preferably symmetrically spaced around the central axis. The front side of the lens mount base preferably comprises a flat surface for receiving the first end of the lens holder. The front side of the lens mount base preferably further comprises a track and the first end of the lens holder includes a plate that is adapted to slide in the track while allowing relative motion parallel to the flat surface of the lens mount base. The flat surface of the lens mount base is perpendicular to the central axis of the lens holder when the first end of the lens holder is in contact with the flat surface of the lens mount base. The lens mount base preferably further comprises means for mounting the base to an imager board having an imager. The lens mount base also preferably further includes an opening in the back side thereof dimensioned to restrict light from the lens to the active area of the imager in the imager board. The inner bore of the lens holder is cylindrical and the opening in the back side of the lens mount base is rectangular.

According to another aspect the present invention provides a lens assembly comprising a lens, a lens holder and a lens mount base. The lens has an optical axis and a cylindrical barrel, the barrel including a threaded surface and an unthreaded surface.

The lens mount base has a back side and a front side with a flat surface. The lens holder is coupled to the lens mount base and engages the flat surface of the front side thereof. The lens holder has a body portion with an inner bore receiving the barrel of the lens. The bore has a surface threaded on a portion thereof engaging the threaded surface of the barrel of the lens. The lens holder further comprises axial alignment means configured within the bore engaging the unthreaded surface of the lens barrel for aligning the optical axis of the lens to be perpendicular to the flat surface of the lens mount base.

In a preferred embodiment the axial alignment means comprises plural flexible ribs configured within the inner bore of the lens holder, wherein the lens is aligned by the axial pressure of the ribs. For example, the axial alignment means may comprise four flexible ribs configured symmetrically within the inner bore of the lens holder. While the inner bore of the lens holder is generally cylindrical the lens mount base preferably includes a rectangular aperture, so as to permit light from the lens to pass through and act only on the active region of an imager. The lens mount base and lens holder are preferably composed of a plastic material and are bonded together by a plastic bonding means. The plastic bonding means may for example comprise a laser weld. The lens holder may have a hole extending into the threaded portion of the inner bore containing a staking compound securing the lens holder relative to the lens.

According to another aspect the present invention provides an imager and lens assembly adapted for mounting in a vehicle, comprising an imager configured on an imager board, the imager having an active area defining an optical flat surface. A lens mount base is mounted to the imager board and has a wall portion, the wall portion having a flat surface parallel to the optical flat surface of the imager on a side opposite to the imager board. The assembly further comprises a lens holder having a first end and a second end. The first end has a portion with a shape adapted to engage the flat surface of the lens mount base and maintain a parallel relative orientation with the flat surface of the lens mount base and the second end has an opening for receiving a lens. A lens having an optical axis is mounted within the opening in the lens holder, with the optical axis aligned perpendicularly to the optical flat surface of the imager and at the center of the active area of the imager.

In a preferred embodiment the wall portion of the lens mount base further comprises a track adjacent the flat surface and the portion of the first end of the lens holder which is adapted to engage the flat surface of the lens mount base comprises a plate that is adapted to slide in the track while allowing relative motion parallel to the flat surface of the lens mount base. The wall portion of the lens mount base preferably further includes a rectangular opening in the back side thereof dimensioned the same as the active area of the imager in the imager board, in particular, in an application where the imager comprises a CMOS imaging device.

Further features and aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a vehicle employing an imaging system employing the lens mounting system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the imaging system illustrating a preferred embodiment of the lens mount system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a preferred embodiment of a lens mount base according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment of a lens holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a preferred embodiment of a lens adapted to be used with the lens mount system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a proximal view of a preferred embodiment of the lens holder with the lens assembled within it, according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a preferred embodiment of the lens mount system assembled with an imager board, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 5 employing an imaging system 100 with a lens mount system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The imaging system 100 may form part of a lane departure warning system in one preferred application. Imaging system 100 employs at least one camera on the stem of the rear-view mirror 17. Other locations and additional cameras may also be employed, however, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/373,150 filed Feb. 24, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The imaging system 100 is oriented generally along the direction of vehicle travel. As a result, the imaging system 100 provides a field of view 16 oriented forward along the roadway to include a portion of the roadway including lane markers 24. The lens mount system of the present invention improves alignment accuracy to improve the accuracy of the imaging system 100 in imaging lane markers 24 in a lane departure warning application. Similarly, the present invention may improve accuracy of the imaging system in other applications.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the imaging system 100 includes an imager board 30, a lens mount system comprising two separately adjustable lens mount sections, and a lens. More specifically, the lens mount system includes a lens mount base 40, and a lens holder 50 having a first proximal end 50 a and a second distal end 50 b. The second end of the lens holder has an opening which receives a lens 60. The lens mount base is adapted to be coupled to imager board 30, on which is mounted a camera or imager 32, for example, a CMOS imager. The imager 32 includes an active area comprising a rectangular pixel array 34 and a transparent cover 35. The active area 34 defines an optical flat surface. The lens 60 has an optical axis A. The lens mount system of the present invention aligns the optical axis A to be perpendicular to the optical flat surface of the imager and aligned to the center of the pixel array.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the lens mount base 40 includes a wall portion having a front side 40 a opposite to the imager board and a back side 40 b adjacent to and facing the imager board. The wall portion has a flat surface comprising some or all of front side 40 a which is parallel to the optical flat surface of the imager 32 (for convenience reference numeral 40 a will be used for this flat surface as well as the front side of the lens mount base generally). In a preferred embodiment, the base 40 receives lens holder 50 on the flat surface 40 a and includes a lip 42 that acts like a track for guiding the lens holder 50 during X-Y adjustment (adjustment parallel to the optical flat surface of imager 32). In a preferred embodiment, the lip 42 includes one or more tabs 44 spaced from flat front surface 40 a so as to define engagement slots for holding the lens holder 50 firmly against the flat front surface 40 a of the base 40 while allowing X-Y movement of the lens holder 50. As described further below, the first end 50 a of lens holder 50 has a portion, for example a flat plate 51, having a shape adapted to fit within these engagement slots and contact the flat surface of the lens mount base so as to maintain a parallel relation with the flat surface of the lens mount base during the X-Y movement of the lens holder 50. In a preferred embodiment, the base 40 includes a small rectangular opening 48 in the wall portion, dimensioned and positioned to restrict light from the lens 60 to fall only on the active area 34 of the imager 32. The rectangular opening 48 in this way prevents light from falling on column amplifiers adjacent active area 34 of imager 32. The configuration of such column amplifiers in a typical CMOS imager and the importance of blocking light to such amplifiers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,087 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The base 40 further includes means for mounting the base to the imager board. In a preferred embodiment, two or more offset ears 46 may be provided with protrusions which couple into apertures 39 in the imager board 30 (shown in FIG. 2) to align the base opening 48 over the active area 34 of imager 32. Offset ears 46 may be provided with apertures 47 for receiving screws 38 that extend through imager board 30 and engage a threaded opening in rear-view mirror 17 or other mounting position to hold the imaging system 100 in place. Various other mounting means may be employed, however, depending on the particular application.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the lens holder 50 includes a main body 52 that is integrally formed with or coupled to a flat plate 51 at the first end 50 a which plate is adapted to couple to the front side of the lens mount base described above. The second end 50 b of the lens holder has an opening for receiving the lens, and the body 52 has an inner space or inner bore that is substantially cylindrical in shape with a central axis extending from the opening. When the lens 60 is inserted into the bore this central axis will align with the optical axis A of the lens as shown in FIG. 2. The inner bore has a first threaded portion 59 that is adapted to receive the threads 66 on lens 60 (shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5). The inner bore has a second unthreaded portion which includes axial alignment means for maintaining the lens aligned with the central axis of the bore during focusing adjustment along the axial direction. For example, the axial alignment means may comprise flexible ribs 58 symmetrically configured about the axis of the bore. In a preferred embodiment, four (4) flexible ribs 58 symmetrically distributed within the inner space 54. More or fewer ribs 58 may be provided, however. Flexible ribs 58 may be provided in a variety of ways. For example, body 52 may comprise a hard-shelled plastic casing having outer protrusions 56 extending therefrom that receive flexible ribs 58 which may be generally cylindrical inserts of rubber, foam or other flexible material. Alternatively, the flexible alignment ribs 58 may comprise thinner walled portions of the plastic material integrally formed with body 52. Also, other implementations of the axial alignment means may be employed. For example, a continuous axially symmetric sleeve of flexible material may be employed.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the lens 60 comprises a lens barrel 62 that has an unthreaded surface 64 along the majority of its length that engages ribs 58 in lens holder 50. The lens barrel 62 also includes a threaded portion 66 that is adapted to engage the threading 59 of lens holder 50 when rotated about its optical axis A to axially move lens 60 along axis A when the lens 60 is focused. The lens 60 further includes a protruding overhang 68 that holds a conventional glass lens.

FIG. 6 illustrates a section through lens holder 50 showing the engagement between the lens 60 and the lens holder 50 viewed from the direction of the first proximal end of the holder 50. As shown, the lens barrel 62 enters the holder 50 from the distal end 50 b and is threaded into place via the threading 59, 66. The unthreaded surface 64 of the barrel 66 engages with the flexible ribs 58 within the second portion of inner bore 54 of the lens holder 50. This engagement maintains a constant axially symmetric radial pressure on the lens 60 so that it is accurately constrained relative to the optical flat surface of imager 32 (shown in FIG. 2) such that its optical axis A is perpendicular to the imager plane at all times during and after focusing. The completely assembled imager and lens assembly is shown in FIG. 7.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling the image system 100 using the above described lens mount system. In a preferred embodiment the invention allows for automated adjustment of the position of the lens, relative to imager 32 with feedback from a fixed target that has features in known positions. The lens holder flexible ribs prevent tilting of the lens during axial movement of the lens during focusing. The two piece lens module in turn allows for the lens to be translated across the imager array until the X-Y offset is eliminated by allowing the lens holder and lens mount base to be moved relative to each other while maintaining the perpendicularity of the optical axis to the imager array.

More specifically, referring to FIGS. 2-7, in a preferred embodiment, the lens mount base 40 is first attached to the printed circuit board (PCB) or imager board 30 generally over imager array 34 using suitable mounting means, such as ears 46 with protrusions that couple to openings 39 in the imager board, so that rectangular opening 48 is aligned over active area 34 of imager 32. The wall containing opening 48 is brought sufficiently close to the imager 32 to block light from the column amplifiers in the case where a CMOS imager with conventional read out circuitry is employed for imager 32. A monitor is coupled to the imager output to detect a fixed target, both of which may be conventional and are not shown. The lens 60 is then inserted into the lens holder 50 and held in place in an initial unfocused position via flexible ribs 58 and threading as generally shown in FIG. 6. The lens holder with lens is then brought into contact with the lens mount base with the plate 51 of the lens holder flush with flat surface 40 a of lens mount base. This step may be done manually or may be automated. In an automated implementation of the method, the lens 60 and lens mount 50 may be held flush to the lens mount base 40 with a conventional automated fixture (not shown). Next, the lens 60 is screwed into the lens mount 50 using the threads 59, 66 until imager readout is focused. Ribs 58 keep the lens 60 axially aligned to minimize the effect of any “pitching” movement of the optical axis of lens 60. Although constrained by the ribs, the lens is still sufficiently loose to be focused within the lens mount using the threaded portion of the lens and the lens holder in a traditional manner. After focusing the lens is locked in place at the focus point with the application of a suitable staking fluid such as an epoxy introduced via aperture 70 in the lens holder that is in communication with the threads of the lens. Alternatively, other known methods of affixing the two pieces may be employed.

The fixed assembly of lens 60 and lens holder 50 is then moved parallel to the flat surface 40 a of lens mount base 40 and optical flat surface of imager 32 (and in a perpendicular direction to optical axis A) while maintaining lens holder 50 in contact with the surface of lens mount base 40. Preferably parallel movement is controlled via tabs 44 located on the base 40. Shown best in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the back plate 51 of the holder 50, aligns with the lip 42 of the base 40 and slides within it. The tabs 44 hold the back plate 51 parallel to the surface 40 a of lens mount base 40. In an automated embodiment a fixture may be used to accurately move the lens holder flush with the flat surface of lens mount base and lip 42 and tabs 44 may be dispensed with. The lens mount 50 is slid within base 40 until the optical axis A of the lens is over the exact center of the imager array, which is determined using a video image of the target. This allows the removal of residual X-Y offset axis A of lens 60 with the center of pixel array 34 due to inaccuracies in the various optical and mechanical components and mechanical assembly steps. The lens mount base and lens holder parts are then bonded together with a suitable plastic bonding means to permanently maintain this alignment. For example, laser welding may be employed. Alternatively, other known methods of affixing the two pieces may be employed.

In view of the above it will be appreciated that the lens mount system is well adapted for automated and accurate assembly. The design of the components of the lens mount system is such that they may be moved relative to each other with external fixturing, in front of a known target, until it is decided that the lens is directly over the center of the imager array. With the target and assembly fixtures, it can be determined that the lens is correctly aligned with the imager, as is desired for optimal detection of the relevant features in the video image.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a variety of different materials and configurations may be employed for the different components of the lens mount system. Also, alterations in the order of the assembly steps may be provided depending on the preferred implementation and whether manual or automated assembly is employed. Additional modifications too numerous to mention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention. Also, while the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, last paragraph, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. 

1. A lens mount system adapted for use with a lens, comprising: a lens mount base having a back side and a front side; and a lens holder having a first end adapted to couple to the front side of the lens mount base and a second end having an opening for receiving a lens, the lens holder having an inner bore with a central axis extending from said opening, said inner bore having a first threaded portion and a second unthreaded portion, and axial alignment means configured in said second portion of the inner bore for maintaining the lens aligned with said central axis during focusing adjustment along the axial direction.
 2. The lens mount system of claim 1, wherein said axial alignment means comprises a plurality of flexible ribs in the second portion of the inner bore.
 3. The lens mount system of claim 2, wherein the flexible ribs are symmetrically spaced around the central axis.
 4. The lens mount system of claim 1, wherein the front side of the lens mount base comprises a flat surface for receiving the first end of the lens holder.
 5. The lens mount system of claim 4, wherein the front side of the lens mount base further comprises a track and wherein the first end of the lens holder includes a plate that is adapted to slide in the track while allowing relative motion parallel to the flat surface of said lens mount base.
 6. The lens mount system of claim 5, wherein the flat surface of said lens mount base is perpendicular to said central axis of said lens holder when the first end of the lens holder is in contact with the flat surface of said lens mount base.
 7. The lens mount system of claim 1, wherein the lens mount base further comprises means for mounting the base to an imager board having an imager.
 8. The lens mount system of claim 7, wherein the lens mount base further includes an opening in the back side thereof dimensioned to restrict light from the lens to the active area of the imager in the imager board.
 9. The lens mount system of claim 8, wherein the inner bore of said lens holder is cylindrical and wherein said opening in the back side of the lens mount base is rectangular.
 10. A lens assembly, comprising: a lens having an optical axis and a cylindrical barrel, the barrel including a threaded surface and an unthreaded surface; a lens mount base having a back side and a front side with a flat surface; and a lens holder coupled to the lens mount base and engaging the flat surface of the front side thereof, the lens holder having a body portion with an inner bore receiving the barrel of the lens, the bore having a surface threaded on a portion thereof engaging the threaded surface of the barrel of the lens, and axial alignment means configured within the bore engaging the unthreaded surface of the lens barrel for aligning the optical axis of the lens to be perpendicular to the flat surface of the lens mount base.
 11. The lens assembly of claim 10, wherein the axial alignment means comprises plural flexible ribs configured within the inner bore of the lens holder, wherein the lens is aligned by the axial pressure of the ribs.
 12. The lens assembly of claim 11, wherein the axial alignment means comprises four flexible ribs configured symmetrically within the inner bore of the lens holder.
 13. The lens assembly of claim 10, wherein the inner bore of the lens holder is generally cylindrical and wherein the lens mount base includes a rectangular aperture, so as to permit light from the lens to pass through and act only on the active region of an imager.
 14. The lens assembly of claim 10, wherein the lens mount base and lens holder are composed of a plastic material and are bonded together by a plastic bonding means.
 15. The lens assembly of claim 14, wherein the plastic bonding means comprises a laser weld.
 16. The lens assembly of claim 10, wherein the lens holder has a hole extending into the threaded portion of the inner bore containing a staking compound securing the lens holder relative to the lens.
 17. An imager and lens assembly adapted for mounting in a vehicle, comprising: an imager configured on an imager board and having an active area defining an optical flat surface; a lens mount base mounted to said imager board and having a wall portion, said wall portion having a flat surface parallel to said optical flat surface of said imager on a side opposite to the imager board; a lens holder having a first end having a portion with a shape adapted to engage the flat surface of the lens mount base and maintain a parallel relative orientation with said flat surface of the lens mount base and a second end having an opening for receiving a lens; and a lens mounted within the opening in said lens holder, the lens having an optical axis aligned perpendicularly to said optical flat surface of said imager and at the center of the active area of said imager.
 18. The imager and lens assembly of claim 17, wherein said wall portion of the lens mount base further comprises a track adjacent said flat surface and wherein said portion of the first end of the lens holder adapted to engage the flat surface of the lens mount base comprises a plate that is adapted to slide in the track while allowing relative motion parallel to the flat surface of said lens mount base.
 19. The imager and lens assembly of claim 17, wherein the wall portion of said lens mount base further includes a rectangular opening in the back side thereof dimensioned the same as the active area of the imager in the imager board.
 20. The imager and lens assembly of claim 17, wherein the imager comprises a CMOS imaging device. 